Gary Pallister knows all about the standards expected at Manchester United. The former centre-back spent nine years at Old Trafford, winning four Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup before returning to Middlesbrough in 1998. His successful United career gives him a valuable perspective on the pressure facing Michael Carrick.
Speaking exclusively to The Peoples Person courtesy of Gambler Media following United’s latest setback, Pallister discussed the disappointing opening to the campaign, an underwhelming transfer window and the challenge of competing in the Champions League.
Carrick had gone into the Manchester derby attempting to kickstart United’s season after a lacklustre start. However, United lost the game to 10-man city to complete a disappointing quartet of Premier League results. Asked to mark the manager’s season out of 10 so far, Pallister’s assessment was measured, but he made no attempt to disguise the frustration felt around the club.
How would you assess Carrick’s start to the season?
“Oh dear. Listen, it’s not been a good start. It’s not what we expected, given that the City game was always going to be the first big game of the season. But you looked at Ipswich and Hull and Everton away thinking, right, we’ve got a chance of getting off to a good start. We’ve lost two games, drawn one and won one. So you’re not going to get a good mark. It’s been a frustrating start of the season.
“A lot of that hope that we all had going into the season has maybe diminished a little bit. I’m not going to sit here and give him a mark.”
Did the transfer window leave United short?
“I don’t think it was a fantastic transfer window for us. We were linked with a lot of big targets in the summer, and the only one that we got was the lad from Brighton, Baleba.
“It’s been a little bit frustrating in that respect. I don’t know the ins and outs and what’s gone on behind the scenes, but I don’t think it was the window that many fans were looking for.”
Perhaps United dodged bullets with Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes?
“He [Anderson] didn’t get found lacking yesterday though, did he? Well, I thought he played well yesterday. It was okay, but I think he’s got to settle into that team as well. Expectation is a big thing for him now, playing at a big club like City, where the expectation is at a different level for him.”
“We were linked with [Sandro] Tonali. I know he hasn’t set the house on fire at Tottenham either, but I think he would have [at United]. He’s a ready-made midfield player for Manchester United, and I think he would have fitted in really well.”
“Santos hasn’t really figured. It’s been frustrating. I’m sure Michael’s frustrated, the players are frustrated. I know the fans are frustrated. Everybody involved at the moment, it’s not the start we were looking for.”
“We’ve got ourselves in the Champions League this year as well. You need a big squad to be able to cope with the amount of games that we’re going to play. It’s just difficult.”
“We’re not long into the season, so hopefully things will settle down and we can get back on the up as we were at the end of last season. But so far it’s been a bit of a damp squib, I would say.”
Final Thoughts
- Pallister said Carrick “is not going to get a good mark” for his start to the season.
- United have won one of their opening four league games.
- Pallister believes the transfer window frustrated supporters and did not give Carrick what he needed.
- He remains hopeful that results will improve as the season settles.
The second part of our exclusive interview with Gary Pallister will be published on The Peoples Person tomorrow.
Featured image by Carl Recine via Getty Images
